SK Rakyat PTA chairman Mohd Asman Ahmad (third left) receiving a mock cheque from Abang Johari yesterday. —Photo by Jeffery Mostapha.
KUCHING: Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg hopes to see more schools in the state place greater emphasis on making students master more than one language.
According to him, in order for school leavers to find employment in the job market nowadays being able to master more than one language is essential.
This is because employment in the country will not only come from locally based Malaysian companies, but foreign countries as well.
Speaking during an event held at SK Rakyat, Jalan Haji Bolhassan here yesterday, he praised the school’s effort in grooming their students to greet visitors to the school in Malay, English and Arab.
“This is the type of schools we want here in the state. Students here are trained to master more than one language,” he noted.
Apart from being multi-lingual, Abang Johari also mentioned that all schools should put more emphasis on subjects such as science and mathematics to meet the demands of the job market.
“Graduates must understand the needs of the job market nowadays. Which is why schools must educate students in realising the importance of these two subjects (science and mathematics),” he said.
During the event, Abang Johari revealed that SK Rakyat would need about RM250,000 to renovate the school building.
“A walkway with roofing for students is needed to help the students feel more comfortable in school. We hope that the renovation work for this school can be done as soon as possible,” he commented.
Abang Johari pledged a sum of RM50,000 to the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA) and RM20 to each student of the school. The money will be invested in the Amanah Saham Bumiputra (ASB). He urged parents of the student to add another RM10 to his RM20 pledge to be invested in their ASB accounts.
SK Rakyat primary school was opened in 1957 and a total of 455 students are currently studying at the school.